That Scared Me to Death, I Thought I Was Going to Die in Ei's Arms

[Here we go again! Come on, another kiss on the lips (not). What, you're asking why we need another when we've already kissed today? What's wrong with one more? ()]

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(The picture's in the previous chapter qwq)

The blue sea shimmered as the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's cargo ship, the "Youyou Wangsheng," sailed steadily toward Liyue.

Baichen leaned against the railing, the salty sea breeze brushing his cheeks, carrying the aroma of rock tea unique to Liyue.

This was the third time he had gazed toward the horizon. They had left Inazuma two days ago, so by all rights, the outline of Liyue Harbor should have been visible by now.

"Don't rush~" Hu Tao had appeared beside him at some point, a fresh plum blossom branch in her hand. "At this speed, we'll be there by evening!"

Baichen nodded and was just about to speak when a blinding bolt of lightning suddenly struck the sea less than a hundred meters ahead of the bow,

throwing up a huge spray. The entire ship rocked violently, and he stumbled, nearly falling before Hu Tao caught him.

"Whoa!" Hu Tao whistled. "A bolt from the blue? Interesting~"

Still shaken, Baichen stared at the sea as it grew calm again.

This was already the fifth time today-

Lightning without warning, each bolt narrowly grazing the ship but causing no real damage, as though... it were some kind of warning.

System, could this be...

[Who else could it be?]

[Your jealous general is throwing a tantrum.]

[But don't worry, she couldn't bear to actually strike you.]

Lumine and Paimon came running at the sound. Seeing how pale Baichen was, Lumine asked with concern, "Are you all right? Do you want to go to the lounge?"

Baichen shook his head, his gaze involuntarily sweeping over their surroundings.

That feeling of being watched had returned-following him like a shadow, yet impossible to trace to its source.

He looked toward the distant clouds and vaguely thought he saw a flash of purple light.

"Come to think of it..." Paimon floated in the air, biting her finger. "Haven't the thunderstorms been a little too frequent these past two days?"

Hu Tao waved a hand unconcernedly. "It's normal~ The weather at sea changes a lot this time of year."

She suddenly leaned close to Baichen and lowered her voice. "But... could your special someone be coming after you?"

The hairs on the back of Baichen's neck stood on end. He gave a couple of awkward laughs. "H-how could that be...?"

[Hu Tao's affection +5%, currently 45%]

[Status gained: guilty fugitive]

The afternoon's voyage went unusually smoothly, with no more lightning to trouble them.

Baichen breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the danger had passed, unaware that an even bigger "surprise" awaited him at Liyue Harbor.

By evening, the outline of Liyue Harbor finally appeared in the distance.

The setting sun edged the bustling harbor in gold, and the sight of countless ships under sail was even more spectacular than Baichen remembered.

But his attention was soon drawn to a figure on the dock-

Long purple hair, a slender figure, and an imposing aura that even ordinary Liyue clothing could not conceal.

Ei stood there quietly, her piercing gaze fixed on the approaching cargo ship.

"I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed..." Baichen huddled behind the railing, his voice trembling. "How could she...?"

Paimon hid behind Lumine in fright. "How about we turn around?"

Hu Tao, however, clapped her hands excitedly. "Wow! The official wife catching him cheating in the act!" After the other three glared at her, she stuck out her tongue. "Just kidding~"

For Baichen, the process of docking was sheer torment.

With every foot they drew closer, Ei's gaze grew sharper.

By the time the gangplank was finally lowered, his legs had gone so weak he could barely walk.

"Go on." Lumine gave him a gentle push. "Explain yourself properly."

Baichen swallowed and shuffled toward Ei, one step at a time.

To his surprise, when he reached her, Ei simply held out her hand calmly, as though she had only come to take a lost child home.

"Ei..." Baichen looked up timidly. "I..."

Ei neither scolded nor questioned him. She merely drew him gently into her arms. "I'm just glad you're all right."

The embrace made Baichen feel guiltier than any punishment could have.

His nose stung, and he buried his face in Ei's shoulder. "I'm sorry..."

Ei stroked his hair and turned to the dumbstruck Lumine and the others. "Thank you for taking care of him."

After that brief expression of thanks, she took Baichen by the hand and left the dock, leaving everyone on the ship staring at one another.

"That's it?" Paimon blinked in disbelief. "She's not angry? No punishment?"

Hu Tao stroked her chin. "The calm before the storm..."

[Ei's affection: 100% (stable)]

[Status gained: gentle trap]

Ei brought Baichen to the Heyu Teahouse, a high-end inn on Feiyun Slope.

The owner clearly recognized Ei-or rather, her disguised identity as Miss Shion-and respectfully led the two of them to a suite on the top floor.

The room was spacious and bright, with a panoramic view of Liyue Harbor outside the window.

Baichen was about to admire the scenery when Ei pressed him down onto the edge of the bed.

"Explain." She went straight to the point.

Baichen wrung his hands and explained that he had wanted to broaden his horizons and improve himself.

Ei listened quietly, then unexpectedly nodded.

"I understand."

"Huh?" Baichen's eyes widened.

Ei took a set of Liyue-style clothes from her luggage. "Put these on. I'll take you out."

Her reaction was so unusual that Baichen grew even more uneasy.

He obediently changed into the clothes-a pale blue short robe embroidered with cloud patterns that set off his jade-white skin.

Ei changed her outfit too, sweeping her long purple hair up with a jade hairpin and putting on a long ink-black dress. She looked just like an ordinary young lady from a wealthy Liyue family.

"Um... aren't you angry?" Baichen asked cautiously.

Ei stopped adjusting her collar and gave him a long look. "I am." She pinched the boy's cheek. "But I was more worried."

Warmth filled Baichen's heart at her words. He wrapped his arms around Ei's waist of his own accord. "I promise I won't sneak away again..."

Ei gave a soft "Mm" and took his hand. "Let's go."

With the lamps just lit, Liyue Harbor was even more enchanting than it was by day.

Lanterns hung along both sides of the streets, and vendors called out one after another.

Ei held Baichen's hand tightly, as though afraid he might get lost again.

"Want a taste?" She stopped at a sugar painting stall and bought one shaped like a little rabbit.

Baichen accepted it, pleasantly surprised, and gave it a lick with his little tongue. Sweetness melted across his mouth.

Ei's gaze softened as she watched his satisfied expression.

"There are lantern riddles over there!" Baichen pointed at a stall not far away and excitedly pulled Ei toward it.

To his surprise, Ei was very familiar with Liyue's traditional culture. She easily solved several difficult riddles, earning repeated praise from the stallholder.

Baichen hugged a pile of little prizes, his eyes shining. "You're amazing, Ei!"

"I came here with Makoto before..." Ei explained softly, a trace of nostalgia flashing in her eyes as she mentioned her older sister.

The two made their way to Chihu Rock, where Xiangling's Wanmin Restaurant was at its busiest.

Ei had intended to go around, but Baichen caught the aroma of boiled fish, and his stomach betrayed him with a growl.

"Hungry?" Ei raised an eyebrow.

Baichen nodded, his face red. Ei sighed and led him into the restaurant. Xiangling came over to greet them warmly. "Welcome, you two... Huh? Baichen?"

The girl looked at Baichen in surprise, then at Ei beside him. "And this is...?"

"My older sister!" Baichen came up with an answer on the spot.

Ei gave him a subtle look but did not expose him.

Xiangling believed him and enthusiastically recommended the restaurant's signature dishes.

While they waited for their food, Baichen noticed that Ei was watching their surroundings the whole time, especially the female customers.

System, is Ei...

[Obviously!]

[Of course she's keeping other girls from getting close to you.]

[The possessiveness that comes with 100% affection is no joke.]

[She might even eat you up on the spot later.]

Sure enough, when Xiangling brought over the boiled fish and tried to sit down beside Baichen, a single look from Ei made her freeze in place.

"Uh... there's still soup simmering in the kitchen!" Xiangling gave a couple of awkward laughs and beat a hasty retreat.

[Xiangling's affection: 35% → 40%]

[Status gained: temptation of good food]

After dinner, Ei took Baichen to the highest point on Feiyun Slope, overlooking all of Liyue Harbor.

The city lights glittered in the night, brighter than the stars.

"Is it beautiful?" Ei suddenly asked.

Baichen nodded sincerely. "It's so beautiful!"

Ei gently gathered him into her arms. "Next time... just tell me."

She lowered her head and kissed the top of the boy's hair. "I'll bring you."

Those words were more touching than any declaration of love. Baichen raised his face and offered her a kiss. "Mm!"

On their way back to the inn, the two passed Third-Round Knockout.

The storyteller Tian Tie Zui was telling a story about Rex Lapis, surrounded by a crowd of listeners.

Baichen stopped to listen out of curiosity, only to spot a familiar figure in the crowd-

Blue-haired Ganyu was sitting alone in a corner, a pot of tea before her.

As a secretary at Yuehai Pavilion, it was rare indeed to see her in such an everyday place.

"Miss Ganyu!" Baichen greeted her without thinking.

Ganyu turned around, surprised at first, then gave him a gentle smile. "Mr. Baichen? It's been a while." Her gaze shifted to Ei. "And this is...?"

"My older sister." Baichen used the same excuse again.

Ganyu bowed gracefully. "Hello. I'm Ganyu of Yuehai Pavilion."

Ei nodded slightly, her manner much milder than it had been with Xiangling.

Ganyu seemed very interested in this "older sister" and invited them both to sit with her.

"I heard Inazuma has been holding the Thunder Sakura Festival lately?" Ganyu poured Baichen a cup of flower tea. "Lady Ningguang has always wanted to go and see it."

Baichen was about to answer when he suddenly felt Ei squeeze his hand.

He looked up and met her warning gaze, immediately understanding. "Ah... yes, it's very lively..."

Ganyu keenly sensed the subtle atmosphere between them and tactfully refrained from asking further.

After a little more small talk, she rose to take her leave. "There's a banquet at Yuehai Pavilion tomorrow to welcome the delegation from Mondstadt. If you two are free..."

"We'll consider it," Ei answered for Baichen.

[Ganyu's affection: 34% → 38%]

[The bond of a "chance encounter"]

By the time they returned to their room at the inn, Baichen was too sleepy to keep his eyes open.

Ei helped him wash up and change, tending to him as carefully as she would a child.

Lying on the soft, large bed, Baichen drowsily felt Ei embrace him from behind.

"Ei..." he asked, half asleep, "where are we... going tomorrow?"

Ei was silent for a moment before saying softly, "I'm taking you to meet someone."

"Who...?"

"Ningguang."

Baichen instantly became half awake.

Tianquan Ningguang, head of the Liyue Qixing, was also an influential person he had met a few times on his last visit to Liyue.

More importantly...

System, what was Ningguang's affection again?

[Ningguang's current affection: 48%]

[Warning: the queen of commerce is dangerous.]

[Recommendation: interact with her in Ei's company.]

Ei seemed to notice his nervousness and patted his back reassuringly. "Go to sleep." She paused, then added, "I'm here."

Those simple words put Baichen at ease, and he sank into sleep.

Outside the window, Liyue's lights still shone brightly,

while somewhere up high, a pair of golden eyes gazed thoughtfully in the direction of the Heyu Teahouse...

As though thoughtfully pondering something...

The picture's in the previous chapter.

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